CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Members of the Harrison County Board of Education are publicly opposing a proposal from the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to open up more time in the summer for high school sports practices.
With the proposal, school principals would have the option of authorizing additional practice times for most other summer weeks with the only exception being the week of July 4. Currently, such athletic practices are limited to a three week period.
“Those that say that it’s not enough time, well, when’s enough enough?” asked David Sturm, president of the Harrison County Board of Education, on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
“I think Harrison County, particularly, would be in support of continuing the three week period, but when we talk about an entire summer, I think the cons outweigh the pros.”
Sturm cited academic programs that are available in the summer, band camps and family vacations along with logistical and financial issues that, he said, would be created by adding more weeks to schedules for school practices.
The opposition vote from the Harrison County Board of Education, earlier this week, was unanimous.
“I think it’s important that kids have an opportunity to be kids and do the things that we’ve traditionally done in the summer,” said Sturm who was, on Thursday, preparing to notify the SSAC and state Board of Education of the decision.
A public comment period on the WVSSAC’s proposal continues.
The state Board of Education could take a vote on the proposal later this year. If it’s approved, the new rules would be in effect for the 2015-2016 school year.